How can we take communities with us on the journey to a national infrastructure plan? How can councils, compelled to meet key performance indicators, get enough breathing space to work and think outside the box? And, how can innovation blossom in the face of bureaucratic rules and regulations?
These are some of the curly questions put to asset management guru Jeff Roorda and an expert panel during the latest instalment of
IPWEA’s National Thought Leadership Series luncheon, held in Sydney 21 June.
After touring capital cities around Australia, IPWEA, in partnership with Australia’s largest enterprise software company TechnologyOne, is preparing to hold the final session in Adelaide, on 14 July.
At the Sydney event, Roorda stressed the need to integrate town planning and social equality values into future infrastructure decisions. In addition, he spoke about data – the huge opportunities and equally large challenges its collection presents.
Roorda was joined by Infrastructure NSW Executive Director Jenny Davis and Peter Gainsford, Inner West Council’s Director of Infrastructure and Service Delivery.
Construction lawyer Owen Hayford, a Partner at Clayton Utz, addressed the panel, asking: “How do we go about getting community consensus around outcomes… and how do we get consensus around how to pay for those outcomes?”
In his response, Roorda emphasised the need for community consultation on any issue to include a truly representative snapshot of the community.
He warned against holding the traditional community meeting, which is typically attended only by a small cross section of the community.
“The nature of communities is any cross section has about 10% who, for a variety of reasons, have very aggressive agendas [against asset custodians],” he told participants.
“They are passionate they represent the view of everyone else – but they don’t.”
Roorda pointed to the community consultation undertaken by The Blue Mountains City Council, which, through its clarity and transparency, resulted in the community supporting a rates variation.
“The messaging has got to be clear,” he said. “Provide simple and clear communication of options.”
Gainsford agreed, saying: “It’s up to us to come up with innovative ways to educate the community. It’s about ongoing education.”
What the participants said
Overwhelmingly, participants praised the thought-provoking nature of the presentation.
“I really enjoyed the way it got me thinking,” Hayford said.
Dale Smith and Rebecca Coffey from engineering and project management consultancy Lycopodium echoed Hayford’s comment.
Liam Terris and Derek Roux from NSW Roads and Maritime Services said the NLS gave them the opportunity to hear how others dealt with issues like deferred maintenance. With about 50 participants from the industry attending, it was also a great networking opportunity.
“We’re interested to hear what other people's perspectives are, and it’s a good opportunity for us to touch base on common interests,” Terris said.
Registrations are now open for the final NLS of 2016.
Book your seat or table now.